The Kraken Pursuit of Litter Freestyle Canoe Clinic

The Kraken Pursuit of Litter FreeStyle Canoe Clinic

Winter 2020/2021 Vol. 53 No. 4

From the Editor:

2020 is about to pass as this edition goes to press, with few mourning the passing of a tu- multuous year. Those of us who love racing on the water are looking forward with hope to a more “normal” 2021, complete with a full racing schedule. Only time will tell if that materi- Executive Committee alizes, but be sure to keep in shape over the winter in preparation! And to help motivate President: Rebecca Davis you in that respect, we have some great articles 6417 23 Mile Rd, Homer, MI 49245 517-227-4794 [email protected] about FreeStyle paddling, water conservation efforts, and a wild MR340 attempt with a triple Vice President: Teresa Stout -pedal-paddler! 3563 Roller Coaster Rd, Corsica, PA 15829 814-952-1444 [email protected] Keep paddling strong!

Secretary: Barbara Bradley Steve 1301 Flieth St, Wausau, WI 54401 715-216-6905 [email protected]

Treasurer: John Edwards Front Cover: Pukea Designs OC1 preparing for an early 1929 Arrowhead Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, morning paddle. Photo courtesy of Pukea Designs. FL 33703-1903 Inside Front Cover: Camping at Lamplugh Glacier, 727-459-6366 [email protected] Glacier Bay National Park. Aug 2017. Photo courtesy of

Glenn Box.

————————————————————————— Back Cover: Paddlers and friends before the races at the 2015 Nationals. Photo courtesy of the Warren Picture Canoe News Place. Editor: Steven Horney/Asst. Ed. Julie Horney

15806 Timberwillow Dr, Huntertown, IN 46748 Disclaimer: Opinions and/or advice expressed in this maga- 260-452-6447 [email protected] zine by individuals, whether or not they are officers of or delegates to, the United States Canoe Association, are personal Advertising: Scott Stenberg and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the United 3232 Jugg St , Moravia, NY 13118 States Canoe Association. Publication by the United 315-406-4692 [email protected] States Canoe Association, whether in print, online, or in any other form, does not imply endorsement. Printing and Distribution: Steve Rosenau 105 Waterford Dr., Mt Holly, NC 28120 Canoe News is the official publication of the 704-483-4130 [email protected] United States Canoe Association Supporting a Five Star Program: Camping, Camaraderie, Cruising, Conservation, and Competition ———————————————————— www.uscanoe.com

USCA INSURANCE AVAILABLE

For USCA Club Affiliates, Business Affiliates & Race Sponsors Having a race or cruise?

Need Liability and Participant Accident Insurance? Get it from the USCA! A non-profit organization dedicated to serving its members Excellent Coverage & Rates Available For clinics, clubs, river clean-ups, cruises, races, and more Year round club liability coverage Join USCA and have access to the USCA Insurance Program Go to the USCA Website www.uscanoe.com click on Event Sanctioning & Liability Insurance

Please contact USCA President, Rebecca Davis, for USCA requirements for an event to be sanctioned Contact: USCA’s Insurance Program Administrator

Garrett Freihage, Specialty Insurance Consultants 206-957-6565 [email protected]

CONTENTS

WINTER 2020/2021

Inside this issue:

View from the Stern 6

FreeStyle Canoe Clinic 7

The Pursuit of Litter 10

The Kraken—An Unlikely MR340 Story 14

USCA Membership Application / Renewal Form 27 USCA Officers, Delegates, Chairs, and Affiliates 28 Canoe News Advertising Rates, Policy Notice, & Photo Release 30

VIEW FROM THE STERN

USCA PRESIDENT REBECCA DAVIS

Goodbye 2020! For the gather back first time in many months, I am together, it will beginning to hope that someday be as a larger, soon I can see my friends and more varied family once again. While the last group of pad- year has been one of the hardest dlers. of my life, it has taught me—and I Fresh think all of us—many lessons. air is the Things We Have Learned best medi- We can adapt. Across cine. On the the country races did happen as darkest days of we learned better how to cater the pandemic, races to the changing regulations. there wasn’t Events were held safely both in much to do be- person and virtually. Our pad- sides isolate and wait. The world could seem so grim, but getting can’t. For this reason, This Win- dling base didn’t dwindle. It ap- ter 2020/2021 issue of Canoe pears that at least the early sea- outside put things back into per- spective. Acknowledging that the News will be the last where I am son of 2021 will be different than submitting the “View from the seasons past, but we are better sun rises and sets, seasons change, and the river is still there Stern” column as your President. equipped to handle the challeng- By the time this reaches your es. I’m not sure what this means for paddling added both routine and normalcy to our days. In hands I will be serving a different for the Nationals in 2021, but we role in the organization. This can flex to fit the needs of our some ways the distancing allowed us to appreciate our own back- does not mean I will be silent in paddlers and hosts. yards in a way that we hadn’t be- the world of the USCA, it simply We have the oppor- fore. means I can spend time in the tunity to grow. 2020 brought areas I think I can make the big- up conversations of diversity, What is important. I gest impact. My stepping down equality, and recognizing differ- have spent many years volunteer- gives someone else the oppor- ences. These topics were not easy ing across multiple organizations, tunity to step up and steer us for- to talk about, but we understand but this last year has forced me to ward. there are groups of people in our realize that I am spreading my- communities that may not have self too thin. My mental and physical health has taken a beat- the access or knowledge of our sports. Realizing this, we can ing, and with that my work has work to expand and welcome oth- suffered. While I wish I could do ers into our fold. Hopefully as we it all, I understand now that I

FREESTYLE CANOE CLINIC

TRACY HUNT / PAUL KLONOWSKI

Photos in this article by Deb Gohr

“The freestyle workshop was (Lara Smetana on the recent Solo paddling, and who knows, maybe a fantastic way to spend the day. FreeStyle Canoe Clinic, in the Chi- interest some people enough to The location was an ideal low-wind cago area.) come out to one (or more?) of the space for playing around with new Symposia. What could possibly go So what is this workshop techniques. Tracy and Deb are ex- wrong? Well, nothing so far any- about? Several years ago, I pro- pert paddlers and instructors, and way! posed we set up a one-day local catered to our differing ability lev- FreeStyle Clinic. The rationale was Paul Klonowski had previ- els with patience and a great sense simple: try to generate some interest ously found a nice quiet site at Lake of humor too. I am new to solo and in FreeStyle, convince people of how Atwood, in The Hollows Conserva- my paddling skills increased tre- functional it is for their everyday tion Area, in Cary, IL. The lake is mendously in one day! “

7 pretty well sheltered from the wind, FreeStyle community that have been wood. This year Deb Gohr provided no gas motors are allowed, there’s cancelled (due to Covid-19 re- able assistance in Paul’s absence. public access to the boat launch, it strictions) include the Western PA Covid-19 restrictions limited the has pit toilets, a hand-pumped water Solo Canoe Rendezvous, the Wiscon- group size and everyone was compli- well, and a parking lot… what more sin Canoe Symposium, the Adiron- ant with face coverings on land, so- is required? dack Canoe Symposium, the Mid- cial distancing on breaks and lunch, west Canoe Symposium, and the etc. The weather was perfect for im- Advertising was done by as Pine Barrens FUNctional FreeStyle proving skills and having an enjoya- many venues as we could find… lo- Workshop. ble time. cal paddling clubs and organizations, and word of mouth, seemed But the nature of a one-day So in 2020, the year of a the most effective means. With two event, such as the Solo FreeStyle Ca- global pandemic, we pulled it off! local instructors, we had a maximum noe Clinic, is different: a small Afterward, the question was of ten participants, which we divided group, coupled with the lack of need raised as to how long have Paul and I into two groups, based on existing for group housing, organized meals, been conducting this “event” I never skill levels. and evening social gatherings, meant really considered it an “event”, per- it was possible to hold the event, Since mid-March of this cra- haps it was. So after a little re- even within COVID-19 guidelines. zy 2020 year, paddle sport gather- searching of records, we discovered ings, group trips, and training sym- So on August 1 we gathered with La- that 2020 was the tenth year of this posiums have pretty much been non ra and six other enthusiastic stu- clinic, held consecutive years at the -existent. Larger gatherings in our dents for a small class at Lake At- same venue.

How does this happen? Other things that are nice to events, instructors may be hard to have, but not required, are a water come by… but then, just attend the What does it take to start an event supply, picnic shelter, and re- larger event! You will learn things, like this in your area? There are restrictions on motorboats. and you will have fun! quirements, of course: Once you have these lined  A lake with adequate protection up, contact your nearest instructor: from the wind (it’s easier to learn https:// skills when you can’t blame the freestylecanoeing.com/find-a- wind!) freestyle-instructor/  Safe, legal access to the lake, for …and see what you might be small boats able to arrange. Timing is, of course,  Adequate parking critical… If you select a weekend that conflicts with any of our other  Restrooms

THE PURSUIT OF LITTER

ROY IVEY

tires, some on rims. Broadway Lake” emblazoned on What kind of person both sides of my Mohawk Solo would throw all that 13, that little canoe became the junk into the lake? So, perfect boat for the job. It was we got to work. fairly light, stable, and very ma- Our communi- neuverable. I questioned my own ty organization, sanity as I began going after lit- Friends of Broadway ter, one piece at a time. It was be- Lake, began the lengthy process of re- versing the effects of years of neglect. Semi annual cleanups of the roads around the lake improved curb appeal. And a twice-a -year “Log Out” re- moved fallen trees and logs from the lake that had come down coming fun. I soon stopped wor- the creek. Power rying about who had thrown that boaters towed most of stuff in the lake and began to en- Photo courtesy of Friends of Broadway Lake the larger logs but ca- joy the PURSUIT OF LITTER. noes were able to reach Soon after Peg and I the ones in the shallows. Since moved to Broadway Lake in That litter provided an in- this is a paddling publication, I South Carolina, some paddling teresting lesson. Since aluminum will focus on the role that the ca- and glass are heavier than water, friends visited. Someone suggest- noe has played in reclaiming this ed that we all go paddling on our you would think that cans and beautiful lake, beautiful lake. But suddenly we bottles thrown into the lake realized that it wasn’t so beauti- When we moved here, we would sink to the bottom and ful. In fact, we were somewhat had looked for- embarrassed by the amount of ward to pad- Photo courtesy of Peg Ivey litter that had accumulated in the dling every day years before we moved here. on this little “Someone should do something lake. But “every about this,” we thought. And so a day” would now plan was hatched. take on a whole new meaning. Once our guests had de- This lake could parted, we began to tackle that not be cleaned challenging task of cleaning up up in a day or the 360 acre lake and the neigh- two. We had our borhood that we now call home. work cut out for Who could have made this mess? us. There were cans and bottles, a toilet, a newspaper vending ma- With chine, two televisions, and many “Don’t Litter

stay there. But that is not always docks litter-free.” That seems to Miracle!” Picking up litter is a true. It turns out that over time, be working. good thing but Christmas Mira- micro-organisms, snails, and But there are stressful cles are above my pay grade! even small fish go in and die, ulti- times too. Flip-flops, shoes, and Nearly twenty years later mately decaying and giving off sneakers are often found in the we are still at it. The now-much- gas, causing those cans and bot- lake and picked up with a grab- older, scratched and dirty Solo 13 tles to pop to the surface once ber, as is every other type of lit- has stood the test of time and is again. “Ah-Ha! You can’t get ter. A few days before Christmas going strong. All of the litter in away now!” in 2018, one sneaker that I these photos, and more, has been Things learned in Free- grabbed didn’t move, as if it were hauled out of the lake with this Style canoeing were now finding attached to something. I purpose. Picking a bottle off the had worried that this rocks without damaging the ca- day might come. I took a noe requires serious boat control. deep breath, and slowly Such situations helped to refine raised it until the ankle my side slips, sculling, axles and was visible. Breathing posts, and to hone my reverse resumed. It was only an maneuvers. Canadian Style artificial leg. “ONLY?” I rounded out the drills. It almost thought. What else became a game. would I find? My mind There are four parks was racing as I called around the lake. Sadly, after a day the sheriff. of fishing, some people abandon It turned out that this their bait cups and drinks on the expensive prosthesis docks, to be blown into the lake had been reported lost. by the next wind. Old habits are Divers had searched the hard to break. Though it was not lake, to no the intent, it seems that there re- avail. And ally is virtue in leading by exam- now it was ple. Now, many more people are safely in picking up after themselves. That my canoe. is very rewarding. The deputy Speaking of rewards, two was of my favorite things to find are patched fishing lures and bobbers. I’m not through to a fisherman so I clean them up, its owner. put them in sandwich bags, and A woman give them to fishermen who fish who answered the from the docks. There is a note enclosed in each bag. It reads, phone was “We hope you will enjoy these overjoyed bobbers, rescued from the lake. and said, Please, help us keep the lake and “It’s a Christmas 11 great boat. It is a champion Litter Gitter. Well done, Mr. Mohawk. On my “days off,” I can now paddle my favorite Loon Works Solitaire without worrying about litter. Thanks to Friends of Broadway Lake and that little So- lo 13, the beautiful lake that I wanted to paddle is now more beautiful than ever. Litter will never be eliminated but, by working together, we can make a dif- ference. For me, there are many rewards for cleaning up this beautiful lake. I get exercise and sun, meet interesting people, res- cue the occasional lost canoe, and perform a miracle or two. I highly recommend THE PUR- SUIT OF LITTER to add to the joy of paddling. Unlabeled photos in this article are courtesy of Roy Ivey

THE KRAKEN—UNLIKELY MR340 STORY

JOE MANN

Matt Walters, Joe Mann, and “A-Dog” (Adam Burns) pedaling the Kraken on their way to an MR340 win! “Nine days.” I said. “We have 9 We were parked at the Lamine The most common pedal drive days until the MR340, and we River boat ramp off I-70 near systems are what you’d see on a haven’t been out in the Kraken Boonville waiting on our third sit-on-top kayak that a fisherman yet without something break- partner, Matt Walters. He was would use. Pedals are connected ing.” Uncle A-Dog nodded. “I driving from his home in St Lou- to two fins under the boat that AM a little nervous.” is, whereas A-dog and I drove cross back and forth next to each His real name is Adam Burns, from our homes in Lee’s Summit. other propelling the boat along. and he is not my uncle. We have We were in the thick of an insane Other pedal drive systems can been friends for close to 15 years, idea (Matt’s idea) to race a 3- include a propeller at the end of a and the race moniker is one that person pedal drive boat in the long shaft, or even a paddle boat his race friends know him by. MR340. A pedal drive boat is not that you might see used for lei- Kind of like Bruce Wayne and a new idea, mind you. There are sure activity on a small lake. Batman. Who is Adam Burns? I several types of pedal boats, and Matt had something different in don’t know him. I only know Un- in fact there have been pedal mind. Matt took the idea of a pe- cle A-dog or, as most call him, drive classes in the MR340 for dal drive system to the extreme, just “A-dog” …but that is another many years. What was unique and we were excited to try some- about this one is that it was un- thing completely different. story. He and I live near each other, and we train together regu- like any pedal drive that has ever “He was supposed to be here 10 larly. been created before, and it was all minutes ago. I hope everything is Matt’s idea. OK.” Just then, my phone rang.

When I answered it, I immediate- cessful race in less than 6 tenders mounted on the front and ly heard through the receiver a months? This was no small feat rear bumpers to transport the loud blend of traffic and wind in of design, engineering, and build. Kraken. We would have to move the background. “My car just The boat itself is 37 feet long, the boat off his car, onto my car broke down!” Matt’s voice yelled with 2 amas that stick out 4 feet on a very narrow shoulder of the out of the phone, “Can you guys on each side. (An ama is a wing Interstate. Why so narrow? The come get me and the boat?” We or extension off the side of a boat Donk broke down as he was quickly discussed details of his that helps for balance. Originally crossing a bridge over the Mis- location, hung up, and headed made on outrigger canoes by Pa- souri River… How many more out. cific Islanders, an ama helps sup- bad omens would be laid at our A-dog’s eyes met mine. No words port a boat to give stability). feet? were spoken. None needed to be. Matt was stuck on the side of the As we pulled up, the situation was We were both thinking the same Interstate with a 37’ boat worse than expected. Although thing. Was this project doomed? strapped to his car. By the way, he had put it in neutral and al- Were we too ambitious in our his car, affectionately known as lowed it to coast as far as possi- “The Donk” is a 1972 Buick Elec- plans trying to take something ble, it was only a couple hundred from the drawing table to suc- tra with custom trailer hitch ex- yards off the bridge and not yet

Matt’s Buick broken down on the side of the interstate; a challenging place to transfer a 37’ boat!

Unloading the Kraken 16 past the rail to protect vehicles tion the very necessary custom if it actually ate another boat on from falling down into the flood paint job on the bow of the Kra- the river but could easily get can- plain. There was only about 4 ken. tankerous and decide to break inches between the car and the History down with no warning! So, while guard rail, which meant the left our team name was Make Mine a ama of the boat was actually I suppose I should explain how Triple, the name of the boat is hanging over the yellow line on the boat became the Kraken. It is The Kraken. quite common to have a team the right lane of the Interstate. As I had said before, we had There was no way to walk on the name; most are a bit silly, and people have fun with them. raced it 3 times previous this right side of the car due to the rail year, and each time something and the steep grade of the land, Things like Paddle of the Sexes, Blistered Sisters, or even Cool broke. The worst disaster we had and therefore moving the 37’ boat was about 3 weeks before the from one car to the other would Name Pending. It took us a while to figure out our team name, but MR340. The Freedom Race is a have to be done using the right 63-mile race that finishes in Jef- lane of the 2-lane Interstate. we finally landed on “Make Mine a Triple” This actually has a tri- ferson City, MO. It is always well We eventually got the boat loaded ple meaning which is even more attended, usually with over 100 onto my VW Atlas (luckily I had apropos: 1) There are 3 of us in paddlers. We were doing well for brought my hitch extender!), and the boat, 2) We also like to drink the first 20 miles when one of the we waited for the tow truck driv- bourbon, and 3) Well, I don’t crank arm connections broke. er. A-dog and I commented to want to give out the 3rd meaning This meant that we had to go each other later on: you need to just yet as I don’t want to jinx an- down from 4 paddles to 3 pad- be a bit crazy and have some ything … However, over the dles. We continued to “limp” balls to do the MR340. But that course of the year, Shane Cam- along with 3 paddles for another doesn’t hold a candle to the den, owner of Paddle Stop New 20 miles. When all 4 paddles amount of crazy you need to have Haven, started calling the boat, were operational, we had them if you are a tow truck driver. This “The Kraken” – the monster of set at 90 degrees apart. One pad- guy just backed up into the lane the Missouri River. Shane has a dle was always going into the wa- of a highway, put out some cones, huge warehouse, and he builds ter when one was coming out. and got this thing going with ve- When we had to go down to 3 SUP paddleboards and canoes hicles speeding by him only a foot there. Paddle Stop is actually the paddles there would be a second or two away. home of the Kraken, and Shane or so where there was no re- We finally made it back to the did a ton of work on the boat for sistance in the water, and when Lamine River parking ramp. We us. Shortly after he began calling the next paddle “caught” the water on entry, it really put a lot of spent 3 hours on the water, and it The Kraken, the name just to our surprise, nothing broke!! stuck. We’d show up for a week- stress on the chain. 20 miles of A-dog and I took the boat back to end to work on the boat or to this caused a section of chain to Lee’s Summit to rig it for the train, and we’d get locals and oth- break, and this was 2000-lb rated race. We had not, at this point, er paddlers ask us, “So how is the Shimano chain! put anything on the boat to hold Kraken coming along?” We We had also taken it out on sever- gear – there was no outfitting as found ourselves in no time refer- al training runs and each time of yet. We needed to mount navi- ring to it as The Kraken, and it something broke. This included a gation lights, hydration holders, seemed to wear that name well. broken chain, a broken paddle, a GPS mounts, seat foam, reflective It was this big, crazy looking broken crank arm, a broken spin- tape, boat numbers, not to men- beast that would surprise no one dle, a broken crank post, and

17 myriad other little things. Each fore for the first time, but they call me. Until then, you can just time we would break something, had each known their respective hang onto this.” The dealer we would analyze and discuss the racer for years if not at least a called him 4 days before the race, events that led up to the break, decade. It was the best, most co- and history was made. So why and the domino effect of what hesive and efficient ground crew. did Otto drive it? “It is the only else then broke because of it. They were always where we need- all-wheel drive car I own!” Matt We’d go back through the entire ed them, and never let us down. reasoned, “Plus what other boat and try to reinforce the They kept us stocked with fuel, ground crew do you know that “weak points.” (I say “we”, but hydration, and any gear we might has a Maserati? What if we need really it was 99% Matt.) The next have needed. The most unique something fast?!” time we would take it out, some- component of our crew was the To say Matt is eccentric would be thing else we didn’t think of fact that it included a Maserati. a gross understatement. During a would break. John drove my old Expedition, training weekend after the Kra- So now, with just more than a Chris drove his always capable ken had broken, we decided to all week before the race, the bad luck Jeep Cherokee (the original mod- go on a 40 mile out and back on el), and Otto drove Matt’s Mase- of a broken-down car killed half the Katy Trail. We pulled our our training time, so we only rati. The legend goes something bikes out and began changing managed to get 3 hours in, but it like this: Matt walked into the clothes. Matt and A-dog were was a solid 3 hours where noth- dealership in May, handed the waiting on me because I could ing broke, which was amazing! salesman a check for $29,999, not find my bike shorts. “Dang and said, “I can’t spend any more However, we expected to race for it!” I exclaimed, “I must have left around 40 hours in the MR340! than this on a car, but I’m not in a them in the freaking hotel!” Matt Could it handle that? We took it hurry. Someday, you’ll get some- looked at me with a very neutral out 2 more times, once for 2 thing in here that you are desper- expression and asked, “Oh, you hours later that week, and once ate to move and that’s when you’ll need a pair of shorts?” This is for an hour the day before the race. 6 hours total in the 9 days leading up to the race with no failures. We would simply have to cross our fingers. The Maserati You always WANT to get a good night sleep before an ultra-race like this, but the fact is, it is such a huge endeavor that there is always something that still needs doing. We met in my garage the day before the race with our ground crew comprised of the MR340 veteran Chris Thurman, Andrew “Otto” Otto, and John Smith. Each racer had a dedicated ground crew member. They Matt, A-Dog, and Joe enjoying a beer following the 40 mile ride. only met each other the day be- 18 coming from a guy who normally Race Day this crazy looking boat. It was shows up to a canoe race in a cot- Race Day arrived, and as always, staged on the side of the hill be- ton t-shirt and a plastic shopping racers are allowed to stage their low the parking lot, but above the bag with some water bottles in it. boats at Kaw Point overnight. It rest of the boats. “Yes, but do you have…” Before I is very safe as it is somewhat off Under a giant tree, it was could even finish the sentence, in the beaten path, and there is resting like a giant beast one fluid motion, Matt grabbed security hired. Whether you are a that would soon rise; it ap- the waist of his shorts with one novice, a veteran, a ground crew, peared lazily calm, but it’s hand, peeled them off his legs, or a spectator, it is an impressive dark red eyes, which it and handed them to me. My eyes site to see 500 boats spanning would occasionally open to couldn’t believe what they were across the park the day before the gaze across the field of boats seeing! I was holding Matt’s race. Kayaks, canoes, surf skis, revealed the truth of it’s shorts in my hands, but there outriggers of all sizes, shapes, and strength and cunning. were still shorts on Matt’s body… colors stretch as far as you can Getting your boat in the water at wait, what? My eyes must have see. It is not uncommon at all to been playing a trick on me! I just the beginning of the 340 is never see home-made crafts or some saw him take his shorts off, but simple. There are literally hun- very creatively engineering ap- dreds of boats that need to get he still had shorts on his body?! plied to a custom modification of Understanding my confusion, into the water, and if you are in a spec boat, but this year, there the second wave then you only Matt quickly explained, “Oh, I was one boat that really stood always wear two pair of bike have an hour before the gun fires out: The Kraken. Many had seen shorts,” as if that was a complete- at 8:00am. We estimate The it (fail) at previous races, and Kraken itself weighs around ly normal thing that everyone many more had seen pictures or does, “But you can have one to- 100lbs – although that is a point video clips online. Some had just of debate as Matt believes it is day.” I didn’t want to contradict heard rumors and whispers about him, but I think the real story is closer to 75. Regardless, with a that he is a sorcerer who conjured up a pair of bike shorts out of thin air. The ground crew helped us load the vehicles with everything we ever thought we might need. We looked like we were prepared for a 2-week excursion, not a 2-day race. Tools, spare paddles, spare pedals, extra lengths of chain, rivet guns, a blow torch. We were prepared for almost anything. After going through the planned route and supply stops, we fin- ished our Fun House Pizza (best pizza in KC) and headed to bed around 11pm. Starting line of the MR340.

19 length of 37’, a two 12’ long amas firmly asking folks to step to the and a multi-women team, all that extend 4’ off each side, and a side as we came through. From from Texas. The women’s team drive tower with 8 crankshafts it the view of anyone in front of us, had a great name, “The Single is extremely awkward to carry. It it would certainly look like I was Bladies,” and it took us about 2 also has a 6’ long fixed keel, so it asking them to move so we could hours before we finally caught cannot be set on the ground with- get in front of them, and there- them. Again, any of those boats out a raised pad of some kind un- fore I repeatedly said, “We aren’t could easily outsprint us, and in derneath. Shortly after the first going to the ramp; we are going fact could probably maintain a wave of boats started the race, we PAST the ramp, thanks!” faster pace than us for a couple lifted The Kraken off the ground We finally got to the dirt section, hours. The strength of the Kra- and made our way to the ever- which gave way to mud a few feet ken is efficiency at holding ~7 growing queue of boats. Like try- from the water (and I can’t say mph flatwater speed with very ing to get into a concert or sports for sure that no shoes got lost for minimal effort. stadium, there were several lines good in the depths of that) but we The first day was uneventful, and from different areas of the park finally got the boat in the water, the competition was hanging on all merging together, bottle- with just 10 minutes to spare. pretty tight. The intel from our necked at the ramp waiting to get The race began at 8:00am on ground crew told us that the Sin- into the water. By 7:30, we had gle Bladies and the men’s tandem not moved very far at all, and Tuesday and as usual, it is somewhat anti-climactic. This is a 340 team were always around 15-30 based on a quick assessment, we minutes behind us. In my experi- would NOT be in the water by -mile canoe race…you don’t have checkered flags flying, engines ence, the lead boats stay fairly 8:00. This would prove to be the tight on the first 12-18 hours of first of many challenges that day. roaring, or tires squealing. From the shore, you have what looks to competition – within an hour or I made eye contact with A-dog. be a large fleet of small water less of each other. You won’t re- He knew we couldn’t just sit here. craft slowly crawling towards the ally know if you are falling behind We’d miss the gun and put our- confluence of the Missouri river, or creating a good lead until selves into a hole from the start. becoming dark little specs against around 24 hours into the race. He knowingly nodded to me, and the contrast of the rising sun over What happened during the night? said quietly, “Do your thing” and Did anyone slow down? Who the cityscape of Kansas City: lit- I took off to find an alternative tle ants moving down a shimmer- made a push? And there is typi- route to the ramp. I ran past the ing sidewalk until they disappear cally a 6-8-hour delay on good queue and saw that next to the from view around the bend. data on the competition behind ramp, there was a section of you. After you pass a checkpoint ground that seemed like it would The Kraken wasn’t built for a or supply spot, your crew might work. It was just dirt, but it sprint. In fact, it wasn’t even be able to stick around and see should be fine. Several spectators built for a 50 or a 100-mile race. how far behind the next boat or were standing on it watching the We geared it for a 30-40-hour two is, but they can’t tell you that racers get into the water, but no race. The longer the better. So, until they see you at the NEXT racers were using it. We would we weren’t’ surprised that we stop. found ourselves in 5th place after not be cutting anyone off if we Sometimes the ground crew went this way. I ran back to the the first 15 minutes. Slowly we doesn’t have time to stick around boat and yelled to the team, “OK reeled in the lead boats. There were three exceptionally strong at a pit stop for very long before guys, follow me!” The boat rose they need to get moving to the up again and I began politely but teams in the front: a men’s tandem team, a mixed tandem team, next stop. So if the nearest boat 20

behind you doesn’t arrive within PTSD because now when I hear used the kayak paddle we 15-20 minutes, your ground crew Matt Walters yell STOP! I cringe brought to keep the Kraken has no idea where they might be. and my guts twist up. We had straight, otherwise it would begin This is a long way of saying you been pedaling for a solid 12-14 to slowly list sideways like a dead never really know just how close hours with no issues when we ship in space. The repair was one or far you are from your compe- heard Matt yell, “Stop!” for the of those things where you just tition. All you need to remember first time that day. A-dog and I need 3 hands, especially when is they aren’t stopping, and any- both thought to ourselves, Here it you add the complexity of float- one could run into an issue at any is. 12 hours in. It was a good ing in the water in the dark – and time, so stay in the boat and keep run, but this is now the begin- whatever you do, don’t drop the your paddles moving! ning of the end. It turns out it wrench! A-Dog, aka “Spock”, slid Unfortunately for us, the evening was a broken pedal on the lower out of his chair and moonwalked caused us some significant issues, end of one of the paddles. back to assist Matt, while I then including 3 mechanical ones. A- “Scotty” as we sometimes called took over paddle duties. The re- dog and I have become all too fa- Matt, slid out of his seat into the pair only took 10 mins, but now miliar with hearing Matt yell water, and “spacewalked” back to we only had 1 spare “right side” from the back STOPSTOP- the drive tower. He was floating pedal left. A-dog and Matt got STOP!!!! I think I probably have in his life jacket trying to remove back in their chairs, and we care- the broken pedal while A-dog fully resumed pedaling. Within 5 21 mins we were back up to full “engine intakes.” These were the frustrating, causing mental agu- speed. 4 feet on either side between the ish as we’d get out of the groove Shortly afterwards, an alert came ama and the hull, the section of again and again. up on my phone, “Barge @ mm water where the paddles operat- The second mechanical issue was 180 going upstream at 6.5 mph. ed. In a regular canoe or kayak, completely my fault and occurred Plans to pull off if fog builds up.” we have all occasionally hit some- during the “Foggy Log-Fest.” Un- We calculated that we might in- thing in or under the water with derneath each of our seats, a sec- tersect this barge in the next 3-4 our paddles. Most of the times, if tion of the 50 feet of chain cross- hours, and within the next couple the paddler is responsive enough, es itself and runs through an of hours we did, but the fog had they can pull their stroke, and let idler. I was in a standing position settled in as predicted. It was up before doing damage to the taking care of some business worse than I have ever seen in in paddle or tipping them over. In when I lost my balance. I slid my my 15 years of racing the MR340. the Kraken, if a paddle hits a log foot backwards instinctively and or stump, the machine can’t let pressed against whatever my heel The Barge up, it will hit the obstacle with the came in contact with to keep me full strength and speed and, if the In the dark, it is extremely diffi- from falling over/off the boat. cult to judge distance across wa- log is heavy enough, the paddle Unfortunately, my heel was ter. Add fog to that, and it is im- will actually lift the boat out of pressed against the chain itself, possible. At some point, we saw a the water. That is, all 700 lbs. of right in front of the idler. A-dog light high above us, and far to the boat and people slamming and Matt were still paddling at through the paddle, the pedals, right, but we weren’t sure what it the time and as such, my heel act- was or exactly how far away it and the crank arms of the drive ed as a derailleur, and pushed the was. Soon we heard a sound that tower! That is exactly what hap- chain through the idler cover and you never want to hear on the pened to us during the Mean to the outside of the idler. The Missouri River: the sound of Lamine race earlier in the season. chain immediately felt loose, rushing water!! All the sudden a A-dog had fashioned a small sounded horrible, and worried us barge came into view and we real- polearm that resembled a shep- immensely; again there were lots ized with horror we were only 20 herd’s staff to push logs out of the of STOPSTOPSTOP shouts. At yards from it! Evasive maneu- way of the “intake” area or to first, we couldn’t understand vers! Peddle hard! Turn left!!! hook it, grab it, and toss them what happened. We floated for Then we realized we were mov- away. There was so much debris several minutes shining flash- ing, but the Barge wasn’t; it was in this section, and we couldn’t lights under my chair trying to anchored to the side of the river. see things well until we were right determine the problem. Once we Panic subsided, as we realized we on top of them. It was an ardu- identified it, we were worried, be- were not going to get crushed un- ous, frustrating exercise for A- cause the gap between the idler derneath the maw of the barge, Dog, but also for us, because and the idler cover was too small but it was startling none the less. many times he couldn’t reach it for the chain to naturally fit be- We rightly named this 2 to 3- or didn’t see it in time and he tween. Only because of the pres- hour period in the wee hours of would yell, Stop! We’d pause sure I put on it while it was mov- the night the “Foggy Log-Fest.” A pedaling for 3-4 seconds and wait ing, did it squeeze out. I was -dog had a very difficult second- for the debris to clear. Then we’d careful not to bend the cover as ary duty during this section, and have to slowly start the cranks that is what is supposed to keep that was to keep debris out of again, getting back in sync, etc. the chain from doing exactly what what we referred to as the All of this was painfully it just did. Finally, after several

Matt and A-Dog making repairs during the Freedom Race. soft attempts, I was able to get course and couldn’t even see the pushed straight into it at a 45- the chain back into the idler by track line on our GPS anymore. degree angle, unable to steer or pressing on it while A-Dog and We had no idea which direction control our direction. Matt slowly pedaled, similar to we were facing or which side of We could not see the rocks, but how you would put a chain back the river we were on. We floated we could tell they were just barely onto a bike ring while slowly aimlessly, completely disoriented under the surface. We all held turning it. We all exhaled, re- due to the fog as we were trying our breath as we slid over the tur- lieved that we were able to fix to zoom out the screen on the bulence, waiting for a horrible this, albeit my hands and fore- GPS. Suddenly our ears picked sound or preparing to be thrown arms were covered in grease, but the telltale sound of rushing wa- from the boat. Somehow, we at least I didn’t get my fingers ter again! We could not see any- skidded over it, sustaining no caught in the idler! thing, but the sound was getting damage whatsoever. The sound No Laughing Matter closer. Within seconds it came disappeared behind us as fast as upon us, and we saw it – a long it had come upon us, followed by Our moment of relief was short stretch of a miniature waterfall lived, however. Because this re- a loud silence which hung in the only a few yards in front of us – a air for a few seconds as we each pair took so long, we drifted off wing dike! We were getting

tried to process what had just minds, we had a new lease on 45 minutes after we had passed happened. Almost in unison we life, and perhaps only 12-14 and never saw any of our compe- began incredulously laughing hours left of the race if things tition in that time. That meant like kids on the playground who went well. we had at least a 45-minute lead, had just done something com- We were excited to see our crew which is solid, but could really pletely stupid and only through at our next scheduled pit stop, mean only 5-6 miles. dumb luck dodged the conse- Mokane, around 9:30am. When The Race to the Finish quences! We found the track we arrived, they informed us With 68 miles left in the race, we line on our GPS and got back in that they weren’t exactly sure, the channel with haste. We ped- focused on running clean, ensur- but the Single Bladies and the ing that we didn’t put any stress aled through the rest of the dark- other 2 tandems might be some- ness without any more excite- on the drive components. With where between 20-40 minutes victory both close at hand and ment, for which we were thank- behind us. They didn’t see them ful. ours to lose, the last thing we at Franklin Island, but they saw wanted was to break something When the sun comes up, the lead their crews. We made haste to simply because we tried to break boats have usually put around Hermann, which was still anoth- some arbitrary time goal. We 200 miles of the course behind er 3.5 hours away. Our goal was passed Washington around them. As many have said before, to push hard to Hermann and 3:30pm with 40 miles to go. I “The race doesn’t start until Jeff put more time on them. When had gotten a second wind, and City.” Jefferson City to Her- we arrived at Hermann, the only said out loud, “Alright guys, the mann, a 48-mile stretch which crew there was ours; Chris Thur- Joe Mann ‘strong finish’ just ar- typically has less current and man had waited at Mokane for rived.” more head- wind, is ab- solutely the most demor- alizing part of the course. We passed Jeff City just a few minutes after 7am as the sun was beginning its ascent over the capital building. With the fog gone, both from the river and from our sleep Enjoying a cold beer at the finish line of the MR340! deprived Photo courtesy of Cindy J. Hiles, cindyhilesphotography.com 24

And with that, something week before the race, I had scooted around him. I got my broke… made a kayak seat up there with RPC3 double blade out and be- But it wasn’t mechanical. It was a foot brace, foam seat, and gan paddling. This took the my knee. A tendon or ligament backrest, explaining to Matt, pressure off Matt and A-dog, on the outside of my left knee “What if we are in the lead with and we managed to only lose a decided at that point that it did- a handful of hours left to go, half mph. With a little luck, we n’t like me very much and went and something irreparable could finish the race still in the on strike. I literally could not breaks? This is what is going to daylight with a race time of un- pedal, and when one person allow us to bring it home with- der 36 hours, a feat which only goes down, it puts a lot more out losing too much time!” Lit- 3 boats have ever achieved in pressure on the other two rac- tle did I know that it would be the history of the MR340. ers. Luckily, I had prepared an my body and not the drive tow- When the final bridge came into insurance policy for this. In er that would fail me at the elev- view, I got back into my pedal enth hour. front of A-dog’s seat, there is a 5 seat, and 10 minutes later we -foot section of the hull that is I crawled up to the front, play- crossed the finish line at completely flat. During the ing Twister with A-dog as I 7:42pm, with a race time of 35

The Kraken team and their support crew at the finish! 25

The Kraken hours, 42 minutes. We beat sun- the 2nd winning team in the histo- the finish: the river, the ramp, set by 30 minutes. Our crew was ry of the race where every mem- the race officials, a few fans with waiting for us, cheering along ber is from Missouri, or the fact Tiki torches and pop up tents, with some family, friends, and that the traveling trophy will for- and then our magnificent steed. spectators. ever have the name “Uncle A- Its red eyes sparkled quickly in We took pictures, high-fived, and dog” inscribed on it. the dying light of day as it curled drank beer from our trophies let- Finally, as the darkness began to up to rest after the long race. That ting it wash the dirt, sweat, and creep up the edge of the eastern last wink in the sunset whispered exhaustion from our bodies. I horizon, we decided it was time to to us, You know I had this. Don’t hugged Matt and A-dog, an un- get to the hotel. We left the Kra- doubt me again. likely team of misfits that took a ken to rest on the grass, where it I am The Kraken. design from drawing board to took its rightful place next to the racing in only 6 months. I don’t boat ramp as the first boat that know what I am more happy for: finishes always does. As we were Matt Walters bringing his crea- walking up to the parking area, I Unless otherwise noted, all photos in tion and dream to life, being only looked back, scanning the sight of this article are courtesy of Joe Mann.

USCA 2021 DELEGATES

OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DELEGATES, & COMMITTEE CHAIRS

USCA Officers John Finnen West North Central Division 18 Ayoub Rd, Pleasant Mt, PA 18453 (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD) Executive Committee 570-903-6183; [email protected] Doug Pennington Glen Green 1735 County Rd 421, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 President & Chair: 312 Duff Ave, Wenonah, NJ 08090 573-785-0431; [email protected] Rebecca Davis 856-468-0036; [email protected] Richard Hill Vice President: Norm Ludwig 265 Ashford Place, Iowa City, IA 55545 Teresa Stout 2006 West Side Road, Jersey Shore, PA 17740 319-331-7201; [email protected] Secretary: 570-865-6214; [email protected] Barbara Bradley West South Central Division (AR, LA, OK, TX) Treasurer: Non-Organized Regional Divisions Bob Spain John Edwards 803 Arroweye Tr, Austin, TX 78733 Executive Director East South Central Division (AL, KY, MS, 512-296-5544; [email protected] Vacant TN) Don Walls Fred Tuttle 9 Bunker Hill Ln, Russellville, AR 72802 2093 Alexandria Dr, Lexington, KY 40504 479-858-8200; [email protected] Delegates 270-993-3999; [email protected]

East North Central Division (IL, MI, WI) Non-US Regional Division Joanna Faloon Organized State & Regional Divisions Roxanne Barton 9054 Golden Arrow, Largo, FL 33777 6201 23 1/2 Mile Rd , Homer, MI 49245 613-447-2655; [email protected] Florida Division/USCA 517-568-3702 [email protected] Jennie Dudziak Derek Diget 7971 Ridge Rd, Weeki Wachee, FL 34613 131 S Berkley St, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 Affiliated Club Delegates for 2020 352-587-4642; [email protected] 269-343-5150; [email protected] Mark Nye 1574 Majestic View Ln, Fleming Island, FL 32003 Mountain Division Florida Competition Paddlers Association 904-657-1466; [email protected] (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY) Kathy Edwards; St. Petersburg, FL Lynn Capen 727-612-4821; [email protected] Indiana Division/USCA 685 Sugarloaf Mountain Rd, Boulder, CO 80302 Free Style Group Steven Horney 303-444-0187; [email protected] Elaine Mravetz; Sharon Center, OH 15806 Timber Willow Dr, Huntertown, IN 46748 330-239-1725; [email protected] 260-452-6447; [email protected] New England Division Michigan Canoe Racing Association (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) Weston Willoughby; Traverse City, MI New York Division/USCA Patricia Heed 989-745-5165; [email protected] Dave Donner 581 West Street, Keene, NH 03431 New England Canoe & Kayak Racing Assn 4883 Harlem Rd, Amherst, NY 14226 603-398-4945; [email protected] Priscilla Reinertsen; Contoocook, NH 716-839-4307; [email protected] Paula Thiel 603-746-6491; [email protected] Larry Liquori 487 Wylie School Road, Voluntown, CT 06384 New York Paddlesport Racing Assn 79 Locust Drive, Kings Park, NY 11754 860-564-2443; [email protected] Scott Stenberg, Moravia, NY 631-406-6918; [email protected] 315-406-4692; [email protected] Phoebe Reese Pacific Division (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA) North Carolina Canoe Racing Association 254 East St, Oneonta, NY 13820 Morgan Brunstrom Steve Rosenau; Mt. Holly, NC 607-435-9921; [email protected] 3011 Bennett Dr, Bellingham WA 98225 704-483-4130; [email protected] 360-756-1312 Pennsylvania Assn of Canoeing and Ohio Division/USCA Kayaking William (Bill) Corrigan South Atlantic Division Dale Glover; Montgomery, PA 5888 E. Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241 (DC, DE, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV) 570-547-2635; [email protected] 513-530-9249; [email protected] Lynne McDuffie St Charles Canoe Club Larry Latta 410 Cockman Rd, Robbins, NC 27325 Ben Josefik; Dwight, IL 1188 Broken Bow Ct, Westerville, OH 43081 910-783-5413; [email protected] 815-674-7472; [email protected] 614-882-1519; [email protected] William McDuffie 410 Cockman Rd, Robbins, NC 27325 Texas Canoe & Kayak Racing Penn-Jersey Division/USCA 910-948-3238; [email protected] Association Charlie Bruno Joy Emshoff; Austin, TX 2124 James Way, Saylorsburg, PA 18353 512-626-3741; [email protected] 610-381-3780, [email protected] 28

Standing Committees for 2020 Great Hollow Nature Preserve River Advocates of South Central CT Adaptive Paddling – Jan Whitaker John Foley; New Fairchild, CT Mary Mushinsky; Wallingford, CT Auditing – Steve Rosenau [email protected] [email protected] Barton Award (Sub-ctee, Youth Activities) - Phoebe Reese & Teresa Stout Performance Kayak, Inc. River City Paddlers Bylaws Review - Lynne McDuffie Hansel Lucas; Naples, FL Joilynn Hollingsworth; Fair Oaks, CA Camaraderie – Open [email protected] [email protected]

Camping/Cruising - Bob Allen The Paddle Attic Texas Outrigger Canoe Club Competition – Norm Ludwig Jeff Stephens; Winter Park, FL Kristen Helm; Houston, TX Competition / Dragon Boat - Robert [email protected] [email protected] McNamara Competition / Kayak – Ron Kaiser Western Penn Solo Canoe Rendez- Tour du Teche, Inc. Competition / Nationals Awards – Open vous Trey Snyder; St. Martinville, LA Competition / Orienteering – Stephen Mil- Bruce Kemp; Fenelton, PA [email protected] ler [email protected] Competition / Outrigger Canoe – Steven Westfield River Watershed Horney Yadkin Riverkeeper, Inc. Association Competition / Adult Sprints – John Ed- Katie Wilder; Winston-Salem, NC John Pelli; Westfield, MA wards [email protected] [email protected] Competition / Youth Sprints - Open Competition / Standup Paddleboard - Lloyd Reeves

Conservation - TBD Education - Lynne Witte Club Affiliates without a Delegate FreeStyle - Molly Gurien Historian - Joan Theiss Birch Hill Canoe Club Instructor Certification – Bob Spain & Charley Brackett; Fitzwilliam, NH Tave Lamperez [email protected] Insurance Oversight- Joan Theiss & Scott Stenberg Bridges Athletic Club International - John Edwards Pamela Kuster; Worton, MD Marketing – Earl Brimeyer [email protected] Membership – Lynne McDuffie Merchandise Sales – Larry Latta Cranberry Lake Boat Club Nationals Coordinator— Lynne Witte Debra Roberts; Cranberry Lake, NY Nominating – Tricia Heed & Joy Emshoff [email protected] Publications – Steven Horney Dayton Canoe Club Publicity & PR – Open Thomas Shulder; Dayton , OH Safety – Glen Green [email protected] Social Media - Larry Latta

Technical Inspection – Bill Corrigan Elderly Paddlers Association USCA Bylaws/Rules/Regulations Review Michael Miller; Cincinnati, OH & Oversight – Joan Theiss [email protected] USCA/ IC F Grants – Priscilla Reinertsen Youth Activities – Phoebe Reese & Teresa Friends of the Great Swamp Stout Loretta Wallace; Brewster, NY Webmaster- Larry Latta [email protected] Women’s Interest – Teresa Stout Island Paddlers Special Appointments David Donner; Amherst, NY USCA Marathon Coordinator to USACK [email protected] Marathon Committee -Kaitlyn McElroy Middle Grand River Organization of Watersheds (MGROW) Loretta Crum; Lansing, MI Business Affiliates [email protected]

American Dragon Boat Association Minnesota Canoe Assoc. John Miller; Dubuque, IA Emily Broderson; Maple Grove, MN [email protected] [email protected]

CANOE NEWS ADVERTISING RATES

AD RATES, POLICY NOTICE, & PHOTO RELEASE

Advertisers: you can support the USCA and reach our demographic with your ad in Canoe News magazine both in print and online!

Space Rates by Size per Issue:

Interior Ad Inside Back Cover Ad (NEW!) (B/W Print) (Color Print) Quarter page: $ 25 N/A Half page: $ 50 $100 Full page: $100 $150

Discount: 25% discount is available for ad space contracted for 4 consecutive issues and paid in advance.

Formats suggested for artwork include: TIF, JPG, PDF, or PNG. Send all advertising requests to: Steven Horney Editor, Canoe News [email protected]

USCA Policy Notice

Canoe News magazine is published for the benefit of the members of the United States Canoe Association (USCA), a 501(c)(3 )organization. Canoe News magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish anything it deems to be inappropriate or in conflict with the purposes, goals, programs, or well-being of the USCA.

Photo/Video Image Use Consent and Release

Participation in or attendance at events sponsored by the USCA constitutes voluntary consent of the participant or attendee to be photographed, filmed, or videotaped for use by the USCA in all media venues, including the World Wide Web, without further notice or compensation.

Join the USCA with your membership United States Canoe Association, Inc. 410 Cockman Rd, today! Robbins, NC 27325 Join Now online at www.uscanoe.com or use the application form in this issue. Make check payable to USCA & mail to:

Lynne McDuffie, Membership Chair 410 Cockman Rd Robbins, NC 27325 Phone: 910-783-5413 E-mail: [email protected] Change of: address, email, or phone number? Contact: Lynne McDuffie

Keep the USCA growing! Ask a friend to join or renew!